A Photography Lesson

 We've been watching a fascinating series on TV called Great British Photography Challenge, in which a group of 6 photographers are given assignments to photograph a particular genre within a certain time. We've watched them tackle nature, sport, a fashion shoot, abstract, landscape, an advertising pitch and flowers. Afterwards a professional photographer gives encouraging feedback that also highlights improvements and what didn't work in the photo. I've learnt so much from all this, although I obviously will never be invited to do a fashion shoot! 

So, armed with this new knowledge and a whole lot of enthusiasm, we set off for Hindmarsh Falls. Here are some of my photos and the tips I was trying to adhere to.

1. Always look for something different. Don't shoot a 'postcard', that is, a wide-shot that just shows what a place looks like. Yes, you may take one of these to remind you of where you went and there's nothing wrong with that, but look for a different angle or subject that still retains the essence of the place but makes the viewer see it in a different way. My example shows the kind of photo I often take, then another one that shows the bush in a different way.

2. Look for something that catches the eye. I like my leaf example ... 

... but this dead stuff didn't look as interesting as I thought it would.

This bark photo is ok but then I remembered that first lesson... 

'Always look for something different' - so the bark became a border and the background out of focus but suggesting the bush - a bit like that first shot I took.

3. Take a photo from a different angle. You might look up, or down, or through or from behind a subject. This example isn't exactly what is meant by 'a different angle' but I couldn't quite get behind anything, so I just looked up.

4. Look around for a different perspective. Then see if you can make it better by looking for another angle or composition. I think this works here. The first is perhaps a little different from an ordinary waterfall photo but is really just a straight on shot of the rock with the waterfall behind.

So I zoomed in to get a bit of the rock and the waterfall. I think it makes for a more interesting photo. 

5. Go abstract when it feels like it could make a more intriguing photo than just a good representation of the scene. Here are my two efforts. The first one is fungus on a rock.

6. A good tip is to have something in the foreground in focus and the background out of focus. A few of my efforts didn't work because my camera can't get too close to a subject so everything was out of focus! Try again. 

Not bad. And again. I  was getting the hang of this.

One more try.

I think I like this one the best.

7.  Look for something quirky or humorous that will catch the eye and make people smile or say, 'Why didn't I think of that?'  I tried but it has to come naturally. I'm sure a professional photographer would do it much better, but the idea is there.

And finally ...

8. What someone feels about a photograph is subjective - we don't all like the same thing. But regardless of this, the photo should arouse an emotion in the viewer. They don't care that you've waited 4 hours to get the right light or had to lie flat on your back or were lucky to have a koala suddenly appear ... they just know that the photo is a good one.  My example here might not appeal to everyone but it may make you think - yes, I quite like that.

And here are the intrepid photographers, taken by a kindly passerby.

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On the way back home, we came across an abandoned farm building. Here is a 'photo essay'. I tried to put all those tips into practice - with varying degrees of success. But I did have a lot of fun. The first photo is what is called an 'establishing shot' showing the subject matter, just like a 'postcard'; I used the lovely old gum tree as a frame, and the long stretch of golden grass with a glimpse of road in the foreground to emphasise the building's isolation. 

Closer, taking advantage of the  greying clouds to give it a bit of 'atmosphere'. 

And a different view using the wheat in the foreground.

Another quite different view showing a glimpse of the building through the branches of the old gnarled gum tree.

And now for some detail. Luckily my camera has a fabulous zoom lens so I was able to get quite close. These photos reveal to me the builder's beautiful attention to design and skill in using local materials. The construction has withstood years of abandonment, although the building is now gradually succumbing to the ravages of time.

I was fairly happy with these photos, but took one last one as I walked back to the car, as the clouds were looking even more menacing than before and the hidden sun gave the building a rather melancholy air I thought. It's similar to the earlier photo I'd taken but I took in more of the landscape.

A satisfying day of photography. I'm still learning, but feel more confident, thanks to that inspiring (and helpful) television program. 

The Tour Returns

[This is most definitely a blog for cycling fans only! Steve rolls his eyes at the mere mention of the race and I know that many friends are puzzled as to why I get so excited about it.] 

The Tour Down Under returned to South Australia after a Covid-caused hiatus of two years. This was the fifth time I've been to watch it. Unlike the time when Kate and Kim visited in 2018 and the temperature soared to 43°C, today, grey clouds scudded across the sky, a fierce wind whipped the trees into a frenzy, the sun was sulking, and the temperature had dropped alarmingly and I had to venture into the winter wardrobe for a jumper. 

My friend Sandy and I had arranged to go together, and the day before, we poured over a map of the route to see the best place to view the race. Luckily for us, not far from her house was a roundabout around which the cyclists would go and then, an hour later, emerge a little further up the road and back round the roundabout and into town. So we would see them twice - the only section of the entire 159km route when this would occur. We decided to forgo the finish line (and the crowds) and reckoned seeing them twice was a bonus.

So we both started watching the race on television at our homes. 

The race started in Brighton then turned towards the coast, through part of the McLaren Vale wine region, then headed south. Armchair watching was great. Spectators lined the route, with everyone trying to spot the best place to be to catch the action. A friend of Steve's from the South Coast Camera Club decided that watching the cyclists cross the Myponga dam wall was a good a place as any, and here is his spectacular shot. I've inserted it here because I love the photo. 

Thanks to Gary Davies, South Coast Camera Club

And then he got very creative, and as my photos are not nearly as exciting I've included this one too. 

Anyway, after watching the race on television for a couple of hours I arrived at Sandy's house at the pre-arranged time of 1:45, and off we went accompanied by her husband to the roundabout just down the road. Once there we established ourselves by the side of the road. But after a lot of thought we decided to move from our initial spot because we thought that over the road gave us a better view. I hoped we were right.

Two excited spectators.

The crowds were beginning to gather.

 

This road would soon be wall-to-wall with cyclists.

Excitement grew as the caravan of sponsors' cars went by. How could you not smile at these papier-maché figures?

Anticipation mounted as the scheduled time for the cyclists' arrival came and went.  And suddenly, police cars whizzed by, sirens sounding. Tour Down Under official cars swept by. Finally, the drone of the helicopter signalled that the peleton was finally approaching. 

And here they come. Could we get any more excited??? And how do those photographers manage while hanging off the back of the motorbike with the camera on their shoulders and holding a microphone? 

The cyclists don't even lose speed as they gracefully navigate the curve, their wheels whirring like a buzzing swarm of bees. Camera at the ready, I aim and press the button.

These guys are certainly concentrating on what's ahead of them.

Still they come. They sure are speeding. While the camera freeze-frames them, they are actually hurtling along. At that speed it's hard to pick an individual out and I didn't really recognise anyone, but afterwards I identified that the cyclist on the far right in the yellow and black colours was Rohan Dennis, the eventual winner (and an Adelaide boy!). 

Here's the last of them, followed by another cameraman you can just see poking up behind them in his orange vest.

And then they were gone - it took all of 5 seconds. 

Gathering our belongings, we headed across the road to find a suitable spot for 'Viewing Number 2'. We had at least an hour while the riders tackled Nettle Hill before they headed back our way towards Victor Harbor and the finish line. We couldn't believe how quickly the time had gone when, amazingly, we heard the police car and sirens and then the helicopter. People across the way who could see down the road were suddenly on full alert so we knew the peleton was very close.

Five riders sweep past before I have my camera ready.

But not long after, the main peleton arrives. 

We were pretty sure there were more to come. And yes - two more bunches of riders a few minutes apart. Nettle Hill had split the peleton with the best climbers out in front; the five leading riders I missed were the eventual place getters. So we now had seen four groups pass by.

We were pretty sure there must be some stragglers as the police had not opened the road, and sure enough after 3 or 4 minutes, the last of the peleton passed us, on their way to the finish line in Victor Harbor. 

And it was homeward bound for us. Until next year ...

My friend Fred was at the finishing line and presentation marquee and shared these photos with me. Thanks Fred!!!